When we think of birds, we often picture them in flight, singing from treetops, or gathering at feeders. But one of the most fascinating parts of a bird’s life often goes unnoticed: the nests they build.
From tiny hummingbird cups woven with spider silk to massive eagle nests built from heavy sticks, bird nests are some of nature’s most impressive examples of engineering. Each nest is carefully designed to meet the needs of the species that builds it, offering shelter, protection, and a safe place to raise the next generation.
Our newest exhibit, Nests, invites visitors to take a closer look at the incredible variety of bird nests and the stories they tell.
Test your nest knowledge by matching each nest to the bird species that built it, using clues like materials, shape, and construction style. Follow the step-by-step process of how a Bushtit creates its remarkable hanging nest, and spot a real crow nest just outside Birds Connect Seattle.
This self-guided exhibit invites visitors to explore the fascinating choices birds make when building their homes, and offers tips to help you recognize nests in the wild.
Nests is now on display as our current rotating exhibit at Birds Connect Seattle and is free to enjoy. Stop by during store hours to discover the ingenuity behind these incredible avian homes.
Learn more about our rotating museum space here.
Related Articles
Linking Global Flyways: Tourism’s Role in Conservation
Discover how Birds Connect Seattle’s downtown headquarters is reaching new audiences, sparking unexpected conversations about conservation with tourists, and creating meaningful connections through the wonder of birds along the Pacific Flyway and beyond.
The Windows into Birds Connect Seattle
Discover how Birds Connect Seattle’s bright downtown headquarters is turning curious passersby into bird lovers through creative displays, community events, and unexpected connections to pop culture, sports, and local wildlife.
Life on the Ledge: Peregrine Falcons Above Seattle
Perched high above downtown Seattle, a family of Peregrine Falcons is raising chicks on a skyscraper ledge. Follow their remarkable comeback from near extinction, discover how city life both helps and harms these urban raptors, and learn what’s being done to make Seattle safer for birds.